A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
 

From the Director (September 2022)
 
Welcome back everyone!
 
One of my goals as the Director of AADS is to develop a Southeast regional hub for Asian American and Diaspora Studies, and our first event of the year is a major step toward achieving that goal. On September 9 and 10, AADS will be co-hosting The Southeast Conference on Asian American Studies in collaboration with the Asian American Center (AAC) at UNC. The conference will bring together over twenty scholars who research and teach Asian American Studies in the U.S. Southeast. It will be the first of such gatherings in the region's history and will provide an opportunity to think together about the future of Asian American Studies in the region. The keynote by Dr. Sylvia Chong of UVA will take place at UNC on Friday, September 9th. We are planning a full day of panels on Saturday at Duke’s Karsh Alumni Center, and everyone is welcome to attend. Lunch and dinner will be provided on Saturday, and free parking is available on both days. Please see the schedule and register here (http://go.unc.edu/SCAAS). 
 
I am happy to note that all of AADS classes this year are full in enrollment, and the recruitment for the new AADS minor is going well. There’s definitely demand for our courses, and we plan to have at least three new AADS courses in the spring semester. We have many exciting events planned for this year, so I hope you will follow this bi-weekly newsletter for a great lineup of Brown Bag sessions, invited lectures, films, and other events. 
 
I wish you a fulfilling year of learning, collaboration, and allyship. 
 
With Best Wishes,
 
Esther Kim Lee, Director of Asian American and Diaspora Studies Program